In 1817, the region was described by explorer John Oxley as
“being uninhabitable and useless to civilised man”, but that same
region was turned into an “oasis in the desert” through the miracle
of irrigation, with the region and Griffith providing much of the
country’s horticultural and agricultural produce.

Sir Samuel
McCaughey (1835-1919), the Irish born Australian grazier
demonstrated the viability of irrigation on his ‘North Yanko’
property in 1889. In 1906, he stated in evidence before the
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works

“In my opinion, the waters of this nation, if placed on the
the surface of the ground so that they could be used for irrigation,
would be of more value than gold, for gold will eventually become
exhausted, while water will continue as long as the world lasts.”

The rivers forming the wide alluvial plain, that rise in the
Snowy Mountains to stream into the valley, were called
‘Murrumbidgee’ meaning ‘never failing’ water supply. It is this
water supply that produced one of the world’s greatest engineering
feats, bringing water all the way from the Snowy Mountains. Making
the area and Griffith, the hub of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area,
or the ‘MIA’.

It was Walter Burley Griffin who designed Griffith,
which was proclaimed a town in 1916, just after he won the rights to
design Canberra, Australia’s capital. With the introduction of
irrigation in 1912, the region evolved into one of Australia’s
largest producers of wine, rice, poultry, eggs, citrus, stone fruits
and vegetables.

Prior to white settlement of the region, it was
the territory of the Wiradjuri tribe, who mainly lived along the
banks of the Murrumbidgee River. The first settlers were enticed to
the area by promises of established orchards, lush green fields of
lucerne, and well fed cattle, but the reality was a harsh lifestyle,
dust storms or oppressive mud, depending on the the season. It was
only the most determined, that made a go of this existence, many of
who were returning soldiers from World War I and migrants, mainly
from Europe. In fact people of Italian origin formed a special part
of the heritage of the city of Griffith, as do the many other
nationalities, who were drawn to the area. It is these people, their
descendants and many others, who give the city a cosmopolitan and
international flavour.

Griffith is well known for its festivals
and celebrations with something happening almost every month. The
Festival of Griffin is held over the Easter break every second year,
beginning 2003. There is the annual Festival of Gardens with its
unique Citrus Sculptures, the Flickers Film Festival and Griffith
Global Gathering. There are sporting events throughout the year, as
well as cultural, wine and food activities. On Australia Day,
historical Pioneer Park opens it s gates to celebrate the national
day with working displays, entertainment and food from around the
globe. September sees the final round of the Australian Cross
Country Rally Series for cars and motorbikes and the annual October
long weekend plays host to the Griffith Agricultural Show.

Check out our
listing of Griffith
accommodation.
In addition to our listed online travel guide information, contact the local
tourism visitor centre for your destination for more attractions, tours, local
maps and other information.